MiDAS Minibus Driver Training

Community First offers MiDAS Minibus Driver Training, a nationally recognised standard for drivers of minibuses that offers training for members of staff and volunteers to drive minbuses to ensure they transport adults and children safely.

MiDAS Minibus Driver Training

Community First offers MiDAS Minibus Driver Training, a nationally recognised standard for drivers of minibuses that offers training for members of staff and volunteers to drive minibuses to ensure they transport adults and children safely.

Minibus Driver Training

MiDAS Minibus Driver Training

MiDAS (Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme) is a membership-based scheme designed to enhance both driving and safety standards for drivers of minibuses. The scheme is governed by the Community Transport Association (CTA) who promote and manage this nationally recognised standard for the assessment and training of minibus drivers.

What are the benefits of MiDAS training?

The Department of Education and Department for Transport highly recommend that all minibus drivers complete this training scheme
Some insurance companies offer lower premiums on completion of this training
Drivers gain more valuable experience and feel more confident in driving minibuses and will become more competent.
Is a recognised training programme for drivers to comply with Section 19 / 22 permits

What does MiDAS training involve, how long does it take and where?

There are 2 MiDAS programmes for drivers.

The ‘Standard’ module consists of two elements, Theory and a Practical (driving) assessment.
The ‘Accessible’ module can follow the ‘Standard’ training and is for those who will be transporting wheelchair users.

The big change is that the theory module is now completed individually by drivers online prior to undertaking their driving assessments.

Upon application take part in training, drivers will be allocated a ‘learner pass’ to access the Community Transport Association (CTA) learning portal. Here they can access the theory course. This has to be completed at least 48 hours before the agreed date for the driving assessments. The theory training takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. The driving assessment is a minimum of 30 minutes per driver.

The ‘Accessible’ module is still delivered in 2 parts, theory, which for the time being is still face-to-face, followed by a practical session using the accessible equipment fitted to your vehicle, ramps, tail-lift etc.

The driving assessment and Accessible training are delivered at your place of work, using one of your vehicles (unless other arrangements are agreed). ‘Accessible’ training (for carriage of wheelchair users) may require delivery over 2 days.

Following successful completion of the training elements undertaken drivers will be able to log on the CTA portal to print off their personal MiDAS certificates. These are valid for 4 years.

Who will be instructing you?

The training is delivered by Community First MiDAS Training Coordinators Martin Carter and Alan Russell.

Martin is a retired Police Advanced driver with over 35 years’ experience of driving minibuses. Martin completed the MiDAS Driver Assessor Trainers (DAT) course in 2019. Since then he has trained nearly 400 drivers.

Alan is also a retired Police Officer with Advanced Driving qualifications. His other qualifications are HGV 1 and he has extensive experience of driving many different classes of vehicles and testing them. Alan is also a qualified vehicle mechanic and vehicle examiner.

Additional benefits:

In addition to the basic MiDAS content, our course includes enhanced theory and practical (driving) information and instruction to reflect advanced driving techniques. This enhances the MiDAS ideals of delivering Safe, Legal and Comfortable journeys and makes the training more bespoke reflecting on Martin and Alan’s own experiences and skills.